Barn Conversion in Ireland

[abstamaria]

Rob, very nice material. I hope you are able to retain the flavor of that old building.

Good luck,

Andy

 

[SCAN MG]

Looks great, nice work.

fowlercanada.com

 

[TedM]

I kind of liked the rustic stone look of the walls before the paint. But what progress you have made. I can't even imagine how long it took! Keep up the good work.

 

[Rob55]

Another small update.. Just moved my project into its new home!

It's a Westfield kit car, powered by the Honda Fireblade engine sitting on the pallet in the corner. Being built from scratch and registered as a new car before being entered into a race series here. Can't wait to get started on the build

 

[Bib Overalls]

I was not familiar with the Westfield kit car line. So I did a little web search and found this http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/ and a lot more. I think you are in for a lot of fun.

Will you paint the car or will you leave it as received? Or better stated, does it need to be painted?

Is that you in the cockpit making tie rrrrrrrrrrrrrr noises? Looks roomy.

 

[abstamaria]

Rob, that's a great car and a fun build. You will be surprised that there are three Westfields here on this island in the Pacific. An Eleven and a Seven, imported new in the late 80s, and one similar to yours, but with a Hayabusa enginr, brought in about five years ago.

I used to race a Lotus 23 in the very friendly vintage series here, so have a soft spot for Westfields.

Andy

 

[SiGmA_X]

Wow, amazing overhaul! The car looks pretty nifty as well!

 

[Rob55]

I was not familiar with the Westfield kit car line. So I did a little web search and found this http://www.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/ and a lot more. I think you are in for a lot of fun.

Will you paint the car or will you leave it as received? Or better stated, does it need to be painted?

Is that you in the cockpit making tie rrrrrrrrrrrrrr noises? Looks roomy.

Yes that's me making revvy noises! The car is a powder coated space frame chasis and fibreglass bodywork with an orange gel coat so there is no painting required.

Rob, that's a great car and a fun build. You will be surprised that there are three Westfields here on this island in the Pacific. An Eleven and a Seven, imported new in the late 80s, and one similar to yours, but with a Hayabusa enginr, brought in about five years ago.

I used to race a Lotus 23 in the very friendly vintage series here, so have a soft spot for Westfields.

Andy

Hi Andy, Westfield is made in the UK but I am aware they export all over the world, so I'm not surprised to hear there are a few in the states. The Hayabusa is a popular engine choice (Megabusa), the Fireblade (Megablade) is also popular but moreso because they have a couple of specific race series over here. But they also do a full line of car engines, the most popular being the Ford 2.0 Duratec, there is also a V8 option (must be FUN!) and more recently they have developed a package with the Honda S2000 engine. But the options are endless, great cars, I can't wait to get stuck into the build...

 

[Scottishross]

Looks good mate

 

[GBsnoopy]

Great transformation. After I've done my main garage I have to do my workshop next year and its very similar building to yours (mines ex co op stables 19" stone walls slate roof etc) so yours has shown me what mine could be.

 

[b4z]

Looks great. I really like how you guys across the pond use like materials instead of replacing the old stuff with new stuff like we do over here.

 

[Rob55]

Some more progress. I picked up a 40 year old Record No.25 vice from eBay for a mere 50 quid, these still sell today for £450+vat! The vice had seen about 4 different colours of paint over the years and looked a bit rough, but the jaws were good and the quick release fully functional.

So picked it up, had it sand blasted and primed, then stripped it down, painted it and greased the mechanism. The weight of this thing has to be believed, it is approx 45kg / 100lbs!

 

[PCO6]

That's a nice vice and a good job you're doing on it too. It's nice to see it being returned to its original colour. You're probably close on the weight - maybe a bit light. I have a Record No. 8 and it weighs 38kg / 85 lbs. I see you have a smaller Record in the background. What size is it?

You're doing a great job on your barn / garage and I really like how you're filling it up. That Westfield looks like a fun project.

 

[Rob55]

That's a nice vice and a good job you're doing on it too. It's nice to see it being returned to its original colour. You're probably close on the weight - maybe a bit light. I have a Record No. 8 and it weighs 38kg / 85 lbs. I see you have a smaller Record in the background. What size is it?

You're doing a great job on your barn / garage and I really like how you're filling it up. That Westfield looks like a fun project.

They are heavy aren't they!! The other vice is just a small cheap non-branded one but it has served me well. I might get another Record though for some bling

 

[Olliecampbell]

Great vices. Did you get it blasted whilst it was still one piece or stripped it then got it blasted?

 

[Rob55]

Stupidly I had it blasted in one piece as I wasn't really sure how to take it apart, but when I got it back the guy had got loads of grit into the mechanism so I then had to take it apart, glad I did now though as it gave me the chance to clean and regrease everything. The quick release glides effortlessly now

 

[Rob55]

This weekend I got my bench installed, the garage tidied and my fibreglass bodywork stowed up in the rafters.

 

[fergus]

This my friend is a great remodel. Glad to see you're already underway with a great project!

 

[Scottishross]

Great work mate

 

[magnumleigh]

The garage is looking great Rob, your new workbench looks like its ready to get to work and the vice is much better after the redo. I'll keep an eye out for the Westfield when you get it done, I'm in Enniskillen myself

 

[Rob55]

Yes Leigh, ended up well I must say, Enniskillen isn't too far away, didn't think there'd be many from here on this site!

Got the ramp finished yesterday, need to re-stone the yard for it to blend in a bit better but functionally that's the outside finished.

And more importantly, it's getting close to time for starting this

 

[morfmedia]

very nice, looks like you'll be filling the space rapidly!

 

[Rob55]

The workshop is now pretty much complete, last night I added a couple of final additions. Firstly now that the weather is drawing in, I bought a handy infrared heater which runs off kero/parraffin/diesel:

I then bought some heavy duty bicycle hooks which came in handy for storing my roll cage:

And finally installed some parts bins which have been a great addition to my Westfield build. All the fixings which came in various boxes are now easily laid out and on hand for when the build now commences

 

[scrappy600]

Looks amazing! Well done!

 

[PeteMoore]

ah rob, ive just worked out who you are

 

[Rob55]

ah rob, ive just worked out who you are

Aha, another RMS member

 

[candygoose]

nice space rob just wondering what the dimensions of it are.

 

[Woogeroo]

Nice save.

This is my kinda shop.

Thanks for sharing the photos.

-W

 

[PeteMoore]

Aha, another RMS member

Damn right,

Very jealous of the workshop dude, severe lack of room at mine prevents any major rectification/development work at the minute. Hoping to remodel a bit of the warehouse to make some workshop space but its not ideal.

 

[Ronnie]

looking great.. Just about to start a barn build at home for a new workshop so its great to see how urs came together!

 

[K2sno311]

How is this only a 4-star thread?

Not to sound like the stars are the final say as to how good a thread is, but this deserves 5, hands down.

Lots of hard work saving an old barn and you are making it look brand new in the process. AND it's a working space, not just for show...

Great job man!

 

[dhubbard422]

Very nice workshop build and a great reuse for an old barn!

If you are documenting your Westfield build, please share that link. Would enjoy following your build thread.